By Dr. Gyan Pathak
The politics on enforcement of Hindi through multiple ways across the country and sidelining the languages of the states has turned bitter, first in Tamil Nadu, and now in Punjab. Both the states have objected to Modi government’s attitude on three language formula under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, and the way it is being implemented.
The latest example is the proposed changes in the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examinations for the class 10 and 12 from 2026. The CBSE has claimed that the new pattern aligns with the principles of NEP 2020. However, the Minister of Education of Punjab Harjot Singh Bains has expressed strong objection and deep resentment over the “deliberate sidelining of Punjabi, the state language, calling it a direct attack on the linguistic and cultural identity of the state.
On February 27, the Punjab government demanded immediate restoration of Punjabi as a main subject in the CBSE curriculum for Class 10 in Punjab. He has also demanded that the Punjabi be included in the list of regional languages across India. He has written a strongly worded letter to Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan.
It was only on February 26, the Government of Punjab issued a notification making Punjabi a mandatory subject in all schools across the state, regardless of their board affiliation. It was written in the notification that education certificates would be considered null and void without Punjabi as main subject.
Minister of Education, Punjab has said, “I demand an immediate rollback of this discriminatory draft for being in violation of the State Law and a clear assurance that Punjabi will be reinstated as a main subject in CBSE schools across Punjab.”
It should be noted that CBSE has proposed only five main subjects – Mathematics, Science, Social Science, English and Hindi. It means Hindi will be compulsory in all CBSE affiliated schools in the country. Minister of Education, Punjab has said that it effectively removed Punjabi from the category of main subjects and relegating it to an optional language. “This is an unacceptable attempt to diminish Punjabi and cannot be tolerated,” he wrote in the letter to Union Minister of Education, adding that it was a deliberate move and a systemic effort to weaken Punjabi.
Objections raised by Punjab also applies to other states too, no state having a specific state language other than Hindi, would like to enforced implementation of Hindi and sidelining of their own languages. If this is the way three language formula is to be implemented, India should be ready for larger political agitation across the country.
India has 19 non-Hindi speaking states while there are only 9 Hindi-speaking states. Only three of the eight UTs speak Hindi as primary language. Hindi is presently chosen as the third language in 32 States/UT. In such a circumstance, enforcement of Hindi in 19 non-Hindi speaking states in bound to create further political controversies, if their regional languages are sidelined in the name of three language formula under NEP 2020.
The three-language formula was originally formulated in 1968, but it has never been implemented across the country as per the spirit of the policy. NEP 2020 has brought this policy and Modi government is now trying to enforce it, which has been resisted first by Tamil Nadu. The state has actually refused to implement NEP 2020, though the Union Ministry of Education has stopped the release of funds for education amounting to Rs 2000 crore. Since education is fundamental right of a child, stopping the fund for children’s education is questionable. Children are in fact being made victim to the language politics.
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M K Stalin has said, “If we introduce NEP, we will end up taking the state backwards by over 2000 years. Even if we are offered Rs 10,000 crore, the government will not introduce NEP as long as I am the Chief Minister.” He has actually stepped up his attack on BJP-led Union government on February 27, and alleged “Hindi imposition” saying Hindi “swallowed” over a score or regional languages.
He said, “More than 25 North Indian native languages have been destroyed by the invasion of hegemonic Hindi-Sanskrit languages,” adding “My dear sisters and brothers from other states, ever wondered how many Indian languages Hindi has swallowed? Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Magahi, Marwari, Malvi, Chhattisgarhi, Santhali, Angika, Ho, Haria, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, Mundari, and many more are now gasping for survival.” He has threatened that Tamil Nadu is prepared for “another language war”.
Under the three language formula – first language is the mother tongue. The second language in Hindi-speaking states is another modern Indian language or English, and in non-Hindi-speaking states, Hindi and English. The third language in Hindi-speaking states is English or a modern Indian Language not studied as the second language, and in non-Hindi speaking states, English or a modern Indian language not studied as the second language.
It is clear that the NEP 2020 tries to ensure that Hindi is enforced in non-Hindi speaking states as compulsory. However, in Hindi-speaking states, students can read variants of Hindi such as Bhojpuri or Awadhi, Hindi, and English. The non-Hindi speaking state languages have been rendered optional, which amounts to sidelining of state language in Education system, such as we have just seen in the CBSE’s latest proposal or new examination pattern for class 10 or 12 students, which has been strongly opposed by Punjab. Why a student from Hindi-speaking state should not read a language of non-Hindi speaking state, while for students of non-Hindi speaking states should be made to read Hindi?
Three language formula under NEP 2020 must not be implemented as advantage to the Hindi-speaking people in contrast to disadvantage and additional burden to non-Hindi speaking population. The language issue must be thoroughly discussed, and agreed upon by States since India is a Union of States, before being implemented. Hindi must not be enforced in the manner Modi government wants to. (IPA Service)
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